US Capitol Gun Threat Suspect in Critical Condition

March 29, 2016

(WASHINGTON) — The man who attempted to enter the U.S. Capitol’s visitor complex on Monday with what appeared to be a gun is in stable, but critical condition. He was shot by police during the incident.

The suspect, identified as Larry Russell Dawson, 66, of Tennesee, remains at the Washington Hospital Center, where he had surgery Monday. He is expected to appear in D.C. Superior Court after his release from the hospital.

Police said Dawson walked into the visitor center and was going through security screening when he pointed the gun at officers. He has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon and assault on a police officer while armed, according to U.S. Capitol Police.

The U.S. Capitol police released a statement saying they consider the incident to be, “an act of a single person who has frequented the Capitol Grounds in the past and there is no reason to believe that this incident is anything more than a criminal act.”

No officers were injured, but a bystander was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.